Spokane to Three Lakes is 302.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 90, I 405, and State Route 9, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, taking you from the Pacific Coast region back to the Pacific Coast region. Expect a drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making for a straightforward journey. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.1 miles from Spokane, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
269.6 mi
4h 53m
I 405
11.2 mi
13m
State Route 9
9.5 mi
15m
Three Lakes Road
3 mi
7m
WA 522
2.4 mi
2m
Maple Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
2nd Street
0.9 mi
2m
163rd Avenue Southeast
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spokane, WA and Three Lakes, WA.
1
Start on South Gorge Trail
157 ft·21 sec·South Gorge Trail
2
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
3
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
464 ft·19 sec·West Main Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Monroe Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Monroe Street
5
Turn slight right onto West Freeway Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·West Freeway Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue
188 ft·5 sec·West Freeway Avenue
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
211 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
3.0 mi·3 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward WA 522: Bothell, WoodinvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
17
Merge onto WA 522
2.4 mi·2 min·WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto WA 9
5.7 mi·9 min·State Route 9
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on WA 9
3.8 mi·5 min·State Route 9
21
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward Snohomish
22
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·2nd Street
23
Turn left onto Maple Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Maple Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Machias Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Machias Road
25
Turn right onto Three Lakes Road
3.0 mi·7 min·Three Lakes Road
26
Turn left onto 163rd Avenue Southeast
0.7 mi·2 min·163rd Avenue Southeast
27
Arrive at destination
163rd Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 48m estimated duration, it's definitely a one-day trip. You could leave Spokane in the morning and arrive in Three Lakes by early afternoon. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 269 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break before you get too low on gas or feel fatigued. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 200-mile mark on I 90, as services can sometimes be spaced out.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.1 miles from Spokane, WA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Lakes, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spokane, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spokane, WA
This is one driving day of about 302.3 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Spokane, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 269.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 286.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|West Freeway Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue toward I 90 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
270.5 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
270.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
282.4 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23
Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
7
286.1 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.27 one way
$126.54 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$66.35
$132.70
premium
$5.77
$68.65
$137.30
diesel
$5.61
$66.74
$133.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.7
1
$31.74
$14.51
Efficient EV
75.6
0
$26.45
$12.09
EV Truck/SUV
120.9
1
$42.32
$19.35
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Spokane, WA
Morning
in Spokane on Tuesday
Local time
7:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Three Lakes, WA
Morning
in Three Lakes on Tuesday
Local time
7:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Monroe, WA
151 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates and state routes. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 269.6 miles primarily on I 90. This means you can settle in and cover a lot of ground quickly. The character is that of a modern, well-maintained highway system, designed for efficient travel between cities within the state.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West Freeway Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 302.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spokane, WA and Three Lakes, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.
Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington State, and the largest between Seattle and Minneapolis. It is the economic hub of the "Inland Empire", a name used for Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle (pre-dating by nearly a century the use of the same title by a region in Southern California). It is at the north edge of the Palouse, where gently rolling hills of wheat fields end at the Spokane River valley.
This article also includes the suburbs of Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 302.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Three Lakes, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Three Lakes, WA before the return drive.
